Applying Naver Labs' research know-how in voice recognition/synthesis, machine translation, and character recognition

Naver has launched 'Papago', an automatic translation app based on artificial intelligence technology.

Papago is the result of combining Naver Labs' accumulated research know-how in speech recognition and synthesis, machine translation, and character recognition with artificial intelligence technology.

The app introduced this time can translate all language combinations of four languages, including Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and English, and can translate not only text and voice, but also characters in photos.

Papago has added convenient features that take into account various situations of users. It reduces errors by displaying words with ambiguous meanings as images, and if there is content related to money, it translates using real-time exchange rates. Additionally, in case your internet connection is unstable, you can immediately use the pre-built life conversation content in the app.

The Papago app, which was released as a beta version, is scheduled to be released for iOS in September following the release of the Android version, and plans to focus more on improving its quality so that it can be used as an essential interpretation app for domestic tourism by foreigners visiting Korea during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Naver has been strengthening its voice recognition, synthesis, and machine translation technologies, and based on its machine translation technology, it proved its competitiveness by winning first place in the Korean-Japanese translation machine category and third place in the English-Japanese translation machine category at the '2015 Asia Translation Quality Evaluation Contest', the first of its kind in Korea, in September last year. In particular, it has made efforts to secure global competitiveness by applying for a number of patents in the US and Japan in relation to this interpretation app.

Naver CTO Song Chang-hyun said, “Papago is the execution of Naver Labs’ technology strategy to implement smart services necessary for users’ real lives with AI technology and a simple and intuitive interface.” He added, “In order to compete with global companies in the future, we will further develop AI technology and strive to provide users with convenient and enjoyable experiences.”